Jennifer Wonson – a NSW-based IT Professional – has been named recipient of the 2015 Professionals Australia Women in IT scholarship. Jennifer graduated with an IT degree from the University of Wollongong in 2009 and has a Masters in International Business, an MBA from UOW and Ecole de Management Strasbourg France. She currently holds a CISA (Certified Information System Auditor) from ISACA. Her PhD will be on 3D Printing Risk and Control in the public sphere.

Jennifer is intending to put the $500 towards undertaking the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. On how she expects the training to contribute to her career progression she said: “Two months ago I moved to a regional area from Sydney. Doing a Certificate IV will allow me to use my current IT skills to teach others at the local TAFE and University campus. The opportunity to undertake this training means I can continue to work in IT rather than having to consider leaving the industry because of my move away from Sydney so I very much value Professionals Australia’s assistance.”

Women are seriously underrepresented in the IT sector – women’s participation is under 10 per cent for most specialised ICT professional occupations and attrition of women from the profession is high. Professionals Australia believes that Continuing Professional Development (CPD) can play an important role in helping address the retention of women in the profession and in turn the underrepresentation of women in IT.

Congratulations Jennifer!